A migrants’ rights activist has expressed concern that what amounts to trial by the press of the Myanmar migrant suspects in the murder of two British tourists could jeopardize a fair trial.
Andy Hall, a representative of the Migrant Worker Rights Network, based in Thailand said October 9 that he is concerned with the ongoing public announcements of guilt or innocence by individuals gaining access to the two suspects, Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21.
Hall said that confidentiality between the Thai lawyers and the Myanmar accused is now crucial to ensuring the accused get a fair trial in this publicly-debated case.
Media coverage of quotes purportedly by the suspects and a witness, taken from press access to meetings with lawyers and officials, could prejudice the case and affect the chances of a fair trial, he suggested.
“In most normal cases (of which now this clearly is not), trained criminal lawyers would now surely be advising their clients to stay silent. Public suspicion will go on but lawyers need space to work,” Hall confirmed with Mizzima following a Facebook post on the subject.
Hall’s rights group has been calling for a fair investigation and to make sure the accused are protected according to Thai and international law.
The September 15 murder of Hannah Witheridge, 23, and, David Miller, 24, on a beach on the Thai island of Kao Tao has been covered extensively by the press. Concerns have been expressed by migrant workers and rights groups that the two men might be scapegoats, given reports that allege force was used by the police in attempts to extract confessions. The police deny the use of force.
Hall’s comments come as Surat Thani-based public prosecutors returned the police’s investigation report into the murder of the two British tourists to the officers that had produced it, asking them to supply “more crucial information,” according to The Nation newspaper.
Describing the killings "as high profile, attracting attention from society around the world", the prosecutors reportedly also told the police to "fix certain flaws" and make the 850-page report "more succinct", without giving them a time frame in which to do so.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s prime minister, who is due to visit Myanmar October 9, called on the Thai public and media not to specifically mention the nationality of the suspects. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha suggested they should be referred to merely as “migrant workers,” according to The Nation. "I need to ask the Thai media for cooperation on this," he added.
